Thiil-cqupling



(No Model.) I G. E; SMITH.

THILL COUPLING. No. 304,140. Patented Aug. 26, 1884.

. M 1755555. ZZZ 57.74711 Uivrrsn drains PATENT @rrics.

GEORGE E. SHITH, OF RAOINE, \VISGONSIN, ASSIGNOR- OF ONE-HALF TO A. O.BUELL, OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS.

THILL COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 304,140, dated August26, 1884.

Application filed January 23, 1884.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. SMITH, residing at Racine, in the countyof Racine and State of lVisconsin, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Pole and Thill Couplings and Horsc-Detaching Devices, ofwhich the following is aspecification, reference being had therein tothe accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to pole and thill couplings, and is especiallyintended for use as a horse-detaching device which maybe used in case ofaccident or runaway.

The object of the invention is to produce a cheap yet durablecoupling,.by which, without the aid of wrench or nuts, a pole or thillsmay be quickly attached to or removed from a vehicle, and,whilc giving asecure fastening, placing the same under the control of the driverwithout leaving his seat.

The special features of novelty of my invention will be hereinafterpointed out and claimed. 4

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my clip withsafety-coupling attached. Fig. 2 is a reverse elevation of same, thecoupling partly opened. Fig. 3 is a plan of the same. 4. is a sideelevation of a modification, hereinafter explained. Fl 5 is a plan ofthe safety detaching-lever. Fig. 6 is an elevation of the pivotedeccentric.

A indicates the clip, which is seen red to the axle in usual manner.This clip has project ing arms B B, which have hooks G at their outerends. These hooks receive the eye of the pole or thills, as hereinafterexplained. An eccentric piece, D, is pivoted between the arms B B, (orit may be made of two side plates and pivoted to a single arm on theclip, thus reversing the construction.) The eccentrio piece D has anotch or opening, E, at one side, and is so pivoted that when the cocoatrio is swung to its closed position one side of this notch shallcoincide with the hooks C, while the other side of the notch serves toinclose a bolt passed through the hooks, as shown in Fig. 1. A slit orrecess in the eccentric piece D serves as a receptacle fora pieceofrubber, leather, or similar material, which should be secured to thepiece D by a pin or rivet.

(No model.)

This piece F thus forms a bearing on the eyebolt of the thills andprevents rattling. An arm, G, is hinged or otherwise attached tococentric D, as shown in the drawings. This arm has a slot or loop inits free end, which loop passes over lug H on the clip when theeccentric is closed, and may be secured by a small wooden pin passingthrough the top of said lug. This pin must not be so strong that itcannot be readily broken. A lever, K, is pivoted to lug I of the clip,so as to lie under the end of arm G when both are closed down on theclip. Lever K has a perforation, 2, which closes over log L on the clip,and also has a loop, M, for the attachment of a strap or cord leading upand into the carriage or to other point in proximity to the hand of thedriver. The lever K has a projection, is, as shown, a little back fromthe end of arm G, when said arm is closed down over lever K. Thisprojection may be a little undercut. \Vhen the free end of lever K islifted by a pull on the strap or other power applied to loop M, the armG is first lifted from engagement with lug H. The further movement oflever K brings the projection against the end of arm G, and by itsthrust rotates the eccentrio D on its pivot. The lower edge, e, of notchor recess E in the eccentric serves to lift the bolt or cross-bar O ofthe pole-eye N out of engagement with hooks C, and any forward pull onthe pole or thills will then turn the eccentric, and the eye will bereleased there from as well as from the hooks.

The modification shown in Fig. 4 is not intended for use as a safetydetaching apparatus, but shows the application of the eccentric with asingle permanent attachment to a clip for permanent coupling. In thiscase the arm G looks over the lug H on the clip, as in the device beforedescribed. The notch E in the piece D is made oblong, and theanti-rattling piece F is applied, as before described, to bear on thecross-pin of the eye N.

I claim 1. The combination, with an axle-clip having projecting armsprovided with hooks, of a notched eccentric piece pivoted to said arms,the side of the notch coinciding with the hooks, as described, andmechanism, submo stantially'as described, whereby the eccentric may beturned, all substantially as shown and set forth.

2. The combination, with the clip having 5 extended arms and hooks, asdescribed, of the eccentric piece D, notched, as described, and pivotedto said arms, and arm G, pivoted to said eccentric piece, and. adaptedto hook over lug H, substantially as described.

IO 3. The combination, with a clip having hooks and eccentric detachingapparatus, substantially as described, of the arm (3, extending fromsaid eccentric over a lug on the clip, the lever K pivoted to the clipso as to lie I 5 under said arm, said lever being provided with aprojection, k, to engage the end of arm G, and thus operate theeccentric, substantially asset forth.

4. The combination, with the clip, its hooked arms, and the eccentricpiece pivoted 20 to said arms, of the packing F, secured in saideccentric, as described, in position to bear on the pin and preventrattling, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature 25 in presence of twowitnesses.

GEORGE E. SMITH.

Witnesses:

Jim. W. KNIGHT, CHARLES H. LEE.

